Adapter for converting a switchboard case for use with a socket mounted electricity meter

ABSTRACT

An adapter for converting a switchboard case for use with a socket mounted electricity meter uses a switchboard cradle which fits into a switchboard case, along with a meter socket which has been adapted so that it will fit into the front opening in the switchboard cradle, and which is mounted to a depth which permits the terminals of a socket meter to be fully engaged therein while the base of the socket meter overlies the front opening in the switchboard case and switchboard cradle. Electrical connections to the meter socket are made to the connection strips on the switchboard cradle, whereby no rewiring of the switchboard case will be required.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patentapplication Ser. No. 09/630,131, filed Aug. 1, 2000, now U.S. Pat. No.6,259,956 entitled SURFACE MOUNTED PANEL ADAPTER FOR A SOCKET MOUNTEDELECTRICITY METER, issued Jul. 10, 2001, which was acontinuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 09/238,392,filed Jan. 27, 1999, now U.S. Pat. No. 6,104,601 entitled PANEL ADAPTERFOR A SOCKET MOUNTED ELECTRICITY METER, issued Aug. 15, 2000, which wasbased upon provisional patent application Ser. No. 60/072,828 entitledPANEL ADAPTER FOR A SOCKET MOUNTED ELECTRICITY METER, filed Jan. 28,1998.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] The present invention relates to electricity meters. Inparticular, the present invention relates to an adapter which can beused to enable a standard socket mounted electricity meter to be used inplace of a switchboard meter.

[0003] As is known by those skilled in the electrical metering arts,socket mounted meters are used in numerous locations. As used herein,the term “socket mounted meter” is intended to mean an electricity meterwhich is intended to be mounted in a base. Common examples of socketmounted meters are those electricity revenue meters which are found onthe sides of homes and commercial buildings and in substations.

[0004] As used herein, the term “switchboard” is used to refer to arelatively large, flat panel which has metering equipment mountedthereon, or more typically, therethrough, such that the meteringequipment may be viewed from the front. However, the electricalconnections to the panel mounted meters are made at the rear of theswitchboard panel.

[0005] Due to the nature of a switchboard, in which the intent is tomaintain a relatively flat frontal appearance, a class of meteringequipment, called small case meters have been designed to mount eitheron, or through, switchboards in order to be able to have only theirdisplay portions, or a relatively small portion of the meter, exposed onthe front side of the meter.

[0006] Another factor which is present in typical small case meters, ofthe type intended for use on a switchboard, is that they are generallyadapted to be mounted from the front, and they are thereafter wired fromthe rear, enabling a single person to be able to both mount and wirethem.

[0007] Heretofore the different physical configuration of a socketmeter, in which the meter is significantly longer than what would bedesired to extend through the panel prevented standard meters from beingused, also, as switchboard meters. The present invention provides anapparatus which allows a standard socket meter to be used as aswitchboard meter, so it is not necessary to store both socket metersand switchboard meters. A socket meter used with the present invention,as a switchboard meter, can readily be removed and used as a standardsocket meter.

[0008] While a number of adapters have been described by the presentinventor, as set forth in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,259,956 and 6,104,601,problems not heretofore addressed involve situations in which a meter isrequired to replace an existing switchboard meter. In such situationsthe issue of removing the existing switchboard meter and rewiring anadapter to replace the existing case become significant factors. In manysituations the old switchboard meters were wired using asbestos coveredwire, so merely accessing and rewiring often entails the need to bringin remediation personnel to deal with the asbestos wiring. Further, anytime a meter is disconnected, the need to cut off service and the needto confirm the proper reconnection of the new adapter will be present.As the review of the wiring, called an “audit”, may require the presenceof different personnel than those who did the actual wiring, the wholeissue of replacing the switchboard meter which was already in place witha socket meter becomes one of comparing the high cost of a replacementswitchboard meter, with the higher cost of labor. Nevertheless, thelabor, once performed, would not have to be repeated when the meter,again, required replacement, so the adapters described in the foregoingpatents remain a viable alternative, particularly, when asbestos removalis not, also, an issue.

[0009] Nevertheless, in asbestos wiring situations, and in situations inwhich rewiring costs are exceptionally high, the replacement of aswitchboard meter with another switchboard meter remained a viableoption. Accordingly, another approach to replacing a switchboard meterwith a socket meter, not involving removal and rewiring of the existingswitchboard case would be desirable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

[0010] In the drawing:

[0011]FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view, showing the presentinvention, and illustrating how a socket meter is mounted in it;

[0012]FIG. 2 illustrates the manner of mounting the present invention,together with a socket mounted therein, in a switchboard;

[0013]FIG. 3 illustrates a front view of a switchboard showing how asocket meter appears when viewed from the front of the switchboard whenthe present invention is used to mount it;

[0014]FIG. 4 illustrates a front view of a second embodiment of thepresent invention which allows a socket meter to be mounted from thefront of the panel; and

[0015]FIG. 5 illustrates a perspective view of the embodiment of FIG. 4showing how a socket meter appears when mounted in that embodiment ofthe invention;

[0016]FIG. 6 illustrates a front view of a third embodiment of thepresent invention which allows a socket meter to be mounted from thefront of the panel, but which does not expose a large opening when themeter has been installed;

[0017]FIG. 7 illustrates a side view of a first embodiment of anadjustable leg design for the adapter of the present invention;

[0018]FIG. 8 illustrates a side view of a second embodiment of anadjustable leg design for the adapter of the present invention;

[0019]FIG. 9 is a rear view of the rear wall of an alternativeembodiment of the adapter of the present invention;

[0020]FIG. 10 is a front perspective view of a surface mount paneladapter in accordance with the present invention;

[0021]FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the surface mount paneladapter of FIG. 10;

[0022]FIG. 12 is a perspective view of the surface mount panel adapterof FIG. 10, as installed on a switchboard;

[0023]FIG. 13 is a side view of the embodiment of FIGS. 1-8 illustratinga meter socket which does not use terminal blocks mounted on its rearsurface;

[0024]FIG. 14 is a side view of the embodiment of FIGS. 10-12illustrating a meter socket which does not use terminal blocks mountedon its rear surface;

[0025]FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a switchboard case, of the typeknown in the prior art;

[0026]FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a switchboard cradle, of the typeknown in the prior art, which is used with the switchboard case shown inFIG. 15;

[0027]FIG. 17 is a perspective view of a connecting paddle, of the typeknown in the prior art;

[0028]FIG. 18 is a perspective view, showing how the connecting paddleof FIG. 17 is inserted between the switchboard case of FIG. 15 and theswitchboard cradle of FIG. 16, when they are assembled, wherebyelectrical connections between them are completed;

[0029]FIG. 19 is a perspective view of a switchboard case, of the typeknown in the prior art, along with a socket meter, of the type known inthe prior art;

[0030]FIG. 20 is a perspective view of the adapter of the presentinvention;

[0031]FIG. 21 is a side view showing a socket meter mounted in theadapter of the present invention; and

[0032]FIG. 22 is a front view showing a socket meter mounted in theadapter of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EXEMPLARY EMBODIMENTS

[0033] Referring first to FIG. 1, a first embodiment 10 of the paneladapter of the present invention is shown. As shown, the panel adapter10 allows a standard socket mounted meter 12 to be mounted in aswitchboard 14. The panel adapter 10 is comprised of a front wall 16having an opening 17, formed therein. The face 19 of the meter 12 willbe visible through the opening 17, when the meter 12 is installed in theadapter 10, as shown in FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, the face 19 of themeter 12 will be substantially flush with the front of the switchboard14, following installation. As used herein, the term “substantiallyflush” is intended to mean that the face 19 of the meter 12 can protrudesomewhat through the switchboard 14, or that it can be coplanar with thefront of the switchboard 14, or that it can be somewhat behind the frontof the switchboard 14.

[0034] With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the front wall 16 hasfour legs attached to it, of which three of the legs 18, 20, 22, arevisible in FIG. 1. The adapter 10 further includes a rear wall 24, onwhich a meter socket 26 is mounted. As shown in FIG. 1, the meter socket26 has a socket portion 28, to which the meter 12 is attached, and aconnection portion 30, which extends to the rear of the rear wall 24. Atthe rear of the connection portion 30, there are terminal blocks 34 usedto make electrical connections to the meter 12. The meter socket 26, inthe preferred embodiment of the invention, is wired with an input/outputcable 36 which may be used to provide pulse outputs from the meter 12 toa data recorder or other device. Alternatively, the input/output cable36 may be used for serial communications between the meter 12 and anexternal device (not shown).

[0035] With continued reference to FIGS. 1-3, the front wall 16optionally includes an elongated hook 38, which is narrower than thewidth of the front wall 16, and which is offset from the remainder ofthe front wall 16, so that the hook 38 can extend through the cut-outopening 40 in the switchboard 14 (See FIG. 3).

[0036] The panel adapter 10 of the first embodiment of the invention iseasily used by a single installer, even though installation must beaccomplished from both sides of the switchboard 14. From the rear of theswitchboard 14, the hook 38 on the front wall 16 of the adapter 10 isplaced through the cut-out 40. This can be accomplished with the meter12 installed, as shown in FIG. 2, or with the rear wall 24 removed fromthe adapter 10. As shown in FIG. 2, in the preferred embodiment of theinvention, there are a pair of threaded lugs 42, which are placedthrough openings 44 in the switchboard 14. The installer then goes tothe front of the switchboard (See FIG. 3) where he installs threadednuts 44 on the lugs 42. Also, screws 46 are inserted though additionalopenings and screwed into threaded openings 48 (which may be trappednuts, as shown in FIG. 1) on the front wall 16.

[0037] Next, the installer returns to the rear of the switchboard 14,where he installs the rear wall 24 (with the meter 12 already in thesocket 26) to the rear frame 50, using threaded lugs 52, which extendthrough openings 54 on the rear wall 24, as shown in FIG. 1. Wing nutsor other nuts (not shown) are used to install the rear wall 24 to therear frame of the adapter 10.

[0038] The adapter 10 of the present invention can have legs which areof different lengths to adapt meters 12 of different lengths. Holepatterns, openings, and the length of the hook 38 are based upon theopenings and hole patterns in standard switchboards, but they may bevaried, as needed. The adapter 10 is preferably made of powder coatedsteel, having a typical thickness of about ⅛inch, although othermaterials can be used without departing from the present invention.

[0039] Referring now to FIG. 4, a front view of an alternativeembodiment 100 of the invention is shown. In this embodiment 100, thefront wall 102 of the adapter 100 has an opening 104 formed therethroughwhich preferably has a diameter of approximately 1.5 inches larger thanthe diameter of the face 105 of the meter 106 which is installed usingthe adapter 100. This larger opening 104 (relative to the opening 17 inthe embodiment 10 shown in FIGS. 1-3) enables the user to remove thesocket meter 106 from the front (i.e., through the opening 104), as wellas from the rear of the switchboard 14, as is done when using theadapter 10 of the first embodiment (See FIG. 1) illustrated in FIGS.1-3. In the adapter 10 of the first embodiment the socket meter 12 canbe installed and removed only from the rear of the switchboard 14, byremoving the rear wall 24 (See FIG. 1).

[0040] In view of the fact that the embodiment 100 permits the socketmeter 106 to be mounted from the front of the switchboard, rather thanfrom the rear of the switchboard, it is not necessary, when using theembodiment 100 to mount the meter 106 and its associated socket 108 tothe rear wall 110 of the adapter 100 prior to mounting the adapter 100to the rear of the switchboard, as it was necessary to mount the meter12 along with its associated socket 26 to the rear wall 24 of theadapter 10 of the first embodiment (See FIGS. 1 and 2) before mountingthe adapter 10 of the first embodiment to the rear of the switchboard.Instead, the socket 108 is mounted to the rear wall 110 of thisembodiment of the adapter 100 with the meter 106 either installed or notinstalled. If the meter 106 has not been installed when the adapter 100is mounted to the switchboard, then the meter 106 may be installedthrough the opening 104 in the front 102 of the adapter 100. Of course,even if the meter 106 is installed from the rear of the switchboard,this embodiment of the adapter 100 permits the meter 106 to be removedand/or replaced from the front of the switchboard, whereas the adapter10 of the first embodiment requires removal of the rear wall 24 eachtime a meter 12 is installed or removed.

[0041] Referring to FIG. 6, an adapter 200 of yet another alternativeembodiment of the of the present invention is shown. In the adapter 200,the opening 202 in the front wall 204 of the adapter 200 issubstantially the same diameter as the face 206 meter 208. However, inthe adapter 200, the front wall 204 includes a removable face plate 210,which is shown as being attached to the front wall 204 by a screws 212.Beneath the removable face plate 210 there is another, larger opening214 (shown in shadow). While the opening 214 is shown as being round, itcan be rectangular or other suitable shape without departing from theconcept disclosed with respect to this embodiment 200 of the invention,which is that the removable face plate 210, can be removed from thefront wall 204 of the adapter 200, by removing the screws 212. With theface plate 210 removed, the larger opening 214 is exposed, and the meter208 can be installed, removed, or replaced from the front of theswitchboard 216 as could be done with the embodiment 100 of the adapter,as shown in FIG. 4.

[0042] Another modification shown in the embodiment 200, but which couldbe used in any of the embodiments of the adapter is the absence of thehook 38 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.

[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 7 and 8, still other variations on thepresent invention are shown. In particular, while the embodiment 10shown in FIGS. 1, 2, and 5, was shown as having legs which had a fixedlength, there are meters which have different lengths. Accordingly, inorder to provide an adapter which can be used with various meters, it isnecessary to manufacture different adapters which have legs havingdifferent fixed lengths. In order to minimize costs while retainingmanufacturing flexibility, it may be desirable to provide adaptershaving legs whose lengths can be varied. This can be accomplished byproviding adapters with an adjustable leg configuration, as shown inFIGS. 7 and 8.

[0044] In FIG. 7, the adjustable leg 300 is comprised of a first legportion 302 and a second leg portion 304. The first leg portion 302includes a series of fixed openings 306 which are spaced from oneanother, while the second leg 304 portion includes at least one tappedopening which can be used to receive a screw 308. Alternatively, therecan be one or more openings in the first leg portion 302, and the secondleg portion can include a number of tapped openings. In either case, byselecting a suitable opening 306 in the first leg portion, and matchingit with a suitable tapped opening in the second leg portion 304, theoverall length of the leg 300 can be readily adjusted.

[0045] Similarly, with reference to FIG. 8, an adjustable leg 400 iscomprised of a first leg portion 402 and a second leg portion 404. Thefirst leg portion 402 includes an elongated opening 406, while thesecond leg portion 404 includes a tapped opening which can be used toreceive a screw 408. The overall length of the leg 400 can be adjustedby sliding the leg portions 402, 404, and then tightening the screw 408when a suitable length has been achieved.

[0046] As described above with reference to FIG. 1, the rear wall 24 ofthe adapter 10 has a meter socket 26 mounted to it. The meter socket 26includes a connection portion 30 to which electrical connections to themeter 12 are made when the meter 12 is in the adapter 10. Aninput/output cable 36 connected to the meter 12 is shown as beingseparate from the rear wall 24. As it may be desirable to avoid having aloose cable, FIG. 9 illustrates an alternative rear wall 124 whichincludes the standard connectors 128, but which also includes a panelmounted input/output connector 130 which is mounted to the rear wall 124in order to avoid the loose cable. Instead, the front portion of therear wall 124 includes a connector (not shown) to which the input/outputcable 36 is connected, and the panel mounted input/output connector 130provides data accessibility, without the need for a loose cable as inFIG. 1.

[0047] Referring now to FIGS. 10-12, another embodiment of the presentinvention, in the form of a surface mount panel adapter 500, is shown.As shown, the surface mount panel adapter 500 includes a front wall 502and a rear wall 504. As illustrated, the front wall 502 in the preferredembodiment 500 has an upper portion 506 and a lower portion 508, withthe two portions 506, 508 being separated by an opening 510 formedtherethrough (See FIG. 10). In the surface mount panel adapter 500 ofthe preferred embodiment, the opening 510 has a size and configurationwhich is slightly larger than the size of the front 512 of a metersocket 514 mounted in the panel adapter 500, which meter socket 514 isintended to be used to mount a socket meter 516 (See FIG. 12) which isintended to be mounted in the panel adapter 500.

[0048] With continued reference to FIGS. 10-12, the front wall 502 ofthe preferred embodiment of the surface mount panel adapter 500 includesan opening 518 having a size and configuration which is adapted toexpose the rear portion 520 of the meter socket 514 which is mountedtherein. As shown in FIG. 11, the rear portion of the meter socket 520typically includes a number of terminal blocks 522 which are used tomake connections to the meter socket 514 (and, ultimately, to a meterinstalled therein).

[0049] As illustrated, the preferred embodiment of the surface mountpanel adapter 500 is formed of a single piece of metal. Accordingly, theupper portion 506 of the front wall 502 is connected to, and spacedfrom, the rear wall 504 by an upper leg 524. Similarly, the lowerportion 508 of the front wall 502 is connected to, and spaced from, therear wall 504 by a lower leg 526. As the purpose of the legs 524, 526 isto provide spacing between the front wall 502 and the rear wall 504 itis not necessary for the legs 524, 526 to be solid sheets, as shown.Alternatively, these legs could be in the form of individual legs (Seelegs 18, 20, 22 in FIG. 1). They could also be made adjustable, asillustrated in FIGS. 7 and 8.

[0050] The surface mount panel adapter includes means, such as thetapped openings 528, which may be used, together with screws, formounting the surface mount panel adapter 500 to a switchboard panel 530(See, FIG. 12).

[0051] In use, the surface mount panel adapter 500 includes a metersocket 514 mounted in it, and it is mounted to a switchboard, as shownin FIG. 12. This exposes the front 512 of the meter socket 514 throughthe front of the switchboard panel, so that a socket meter 516 cansimply be plugged into the meter socket 514. The terminal blocks 522 onthe rear portion 520 of the meter socket 514 are used to make electricalconnections to the meter socket 514.

[0052] While the preferred embodiment of the surface mount panel adapter500 is constructed of a single piece of metal which has been folded toform the front and rear walls 502, 504, and the spacing upper and lowerlegs 524, 526, it is possible to form the device in separate parts, tomold it from a plastic material, or otherwise form it, so long as itmaintains the relationships set forth herein so that it can be used tomount a meter socket. Thus, while the front wall 502 is formed in twoportions, with the “opening” 510 formed therebetween, the specificformat used in the preferred embodiment could be modified withoutdeparting from the inventive concept described. For example, if thefront wall was formed of a single piece of material, the opening formedtherein would be circular in shape. In such case, the rear wall could bediscontinuous, or the legs could be removable or adjustable, to allowthe mounting of the meter socket.

[0053] As will be obvious to those skilled in the art, the use of thesurface mount panel adapter 500 in connection with a switchboard 530provides a unique way to retrofit the switchboard 530 such that a meter516 is mounted on the front surface of the switchboard 530, rather thanin the rear of the switchboard 530.

[0054] While a number of designs for the present invention have beendisclosed, those skilled in the art will recognize that other designdifferences may be utilized without departing from the scope of thepresent invention. Thus, while meter sockets have been shown in whichthe terminal blocks extend out of the rear of the meter socket, therebyrequiring an opening in the rear wall of the panel adapter, other typesof meter sockets exist, and are well known to those skilled in themetering arts in which the terminal blocks are formed in the bottom ofthe meter socket. Thus, with reference to FIG. 13, a panel adapter 600,having a meter socket 602 mounted thereon, is shown. The meter socket602 includes a portion 604 containing the socket's terminal blocks whichextends downward beneath the leg 606, so that the wires 608 connectingthe socket 602 to the terminal blocks do not extend through the rearwall 610 of the panel adapter 600.

[0055] Similarly, a surface mount panel adapter 700 is shown in FIG. 14,in which a meter socket 702 is mounted thereon. The meter socket 702includes a portion 704 containing the socket's terminal blocks whichextends downward beneath the leg 706, so that the wires 708 connectingthe socket 702 to the terminal blocks do not extend through the rearwall 710 of the panel adapter 700.

[0056] Referring now to FIGS. 15-18, a switchboard case 800, of the typeknown in the prior art, is shown in FIG. 15; a switchboard cradle 802 isshown in FIG. 16; a connection paddle 804 is shown in FIG. 17; and theassembly of the switchboard case 800, the switchboard cradle 802, andthe connection paddle 804 is shown in FIG. 18. Switchboard cases areused for mounting devices, such as power relays and switchboard meters,in switchboard panels. Basler Electric, located in Highland, Ill., is amanufacturer of switchboard cases, such as the switchboard case 800;switchboard cradles, such as the switchboard cradle 802; and connectionpaddles, such as the connection paddle 804.

[0057] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, theswitchboard case 800 is mounted on the switchboard panel (not shown),and it is wired to the service located behind the switchboard panel. Adevice, such as a switchboard meter or power relay is mounted in theswitchboard cradle 802, and then the switchboard cradle 802 is slid intothe switchboard case 800. There are a series of contact strips 806 atthe bottom and top of the switchboard case 800, and there are similarcontact strips 808 at the bottom and top of the switchboard cradle 802.When the switchboard cradle 802 is slid into the switchboard case 800,there is a space 810 above the switchboard cradle 802 (See, FIGS. 16 and18), and a similar space 812 below the switchboard cradle 802 (See, FIG.16) between the connection strips 806, 808, which prevents them frommaking contact with each other. The spaces 810, 812 can be seen in FIG.16, as the spaces between the upper and lower cradle bars 814, 816 andthe main body of the switchboard cradle 802. As illustrated, the upperand lower cradle bars 814, 816 also include latches 818, 820 which areused to retain the switchboard cradle 802 in the switchboard case 800.As will also be understood by those skilled in the art, a pair ofconnection paddles 804 is then inserted in the spaces 810 (See, FIG. 18)and 812. The connection paddles 804 each have a series of connectionstrips 822 which wrap around their distal end for making electricalcontact between the connection strips 806, in the switchboard case 800,and the connection strips 808, in the switchboard cradle 802, wherebythe electrical device (e.g., the meter or relay) in the switchboardcradle 802 is electrically connected to the service when the connectionpaddles 804 are inserted.

[0058] With reference to FIG. 19, the problem which has heretoforeexisted in mounting a socket meter in an existing switchboard case 800can be explained. A standard socket 824 for a socket meter is simply toowide in diameter to be retrofitted into the opening in a switchboardcradle. Heretofore, those skilled in the art have simply assumed thatgiven the diameter of the socket 824, and the diameter of a standardsocket meter, the only way to place a meter in service was to use aswitchboard meter, designed to fit inside of a switchboard cradle 802,or to retrofit a socket meter as described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,259,956and 6,104,601. In those instances where retrofitting would requireasbestos remediation, or in those instances where the labor involved inwiring and auditing is expensive, it has generally been thought that themost economical approach to replacing a switchboard meter, is simply toreplace it with another switchboard meter. However, due to the fact thatswitchboard meters are much more expensive than socket meters, and thefact that spares must be retained, the solution to the retrofit problempresented by the present invention is highly desired.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 20-21, the present invention uses a modifiedsocket base 830 which is mounted in a standard switchboard cradle 802,and electrically connected to the connection strips 808, therein. Thesocket base 830 differs from the standard socket base 824 of the priorart, in that its side walls 832, 834 have been trimmed to permit it tobe mounted inside of the switchboard cradle 802. Due to the fact thatthe diameter of the base 838 of a standard socket meter 840 (See, FIG.21) is larger than the width of the opening in the switchboard case 800or the opening in the switchboard cradle 802, it is necessary to mountthe modified case 830 in the switchboard cradle 802, so that when theterminals of a socket meter 840 are fully inserted into the connectors836 in the socket base 830, the meter 840 remains outside of the panel842 to which the switchboard case 800 is attached. Thus, the presentinvention makes it possible to convert from a switchboard meter, using aswitchboard case 800, to a surface mounted socket meter which uses thesame switchboard case 800, with no rewiring, no service disconnection,no auditing, and now asbestos remediation.

I claim:
 1. An adapter for use in converting a switchboard case for usewith a socket mounted electricity meter, comprising: (a) a switchboardcradle adapted to be inserted into and connected to said switchboardcase, said switchboard cradle having a front opening which is narrowerthan the diameter of a socket meter intended to be mounted to saidadapter; (b) a meter socket mounted inside said switchboard case, theexternal wall of said meter socket having a shape which allows it to fitwithin said front opening in said switchboard cradle, said meter socketbeing mounted adjacent said front opening in said switchboard cradle,whereby terminals which extend from the rear surface of said socketmeter can be fully engaged in said meter socket while the base of saidsocket meter overlies said front opening when said socket meter ismounted in said meter socket.
 2. The adapter of claim 1 wherein saidmeter socket is wired to connection strips in said switchboard cradle,whereby when said switchboard cradle is slid into said switchboard case,and connection paddles are inserted, a socket meter mounted in saidmeter socket will be fully connected to existing service.
 3. A methodfor retrofitting a socket meter to replace a switchboard meter in aswitchboard case, comprising: (a) providing a switchboard cradle whichfits said switchboard case, said switchboard cradle having a frontopening formed therein and a series of connection strips affixedthereto; (b) providing a meter socket which has walls which fit withinsaid front opening of said switchboard cradle; (c) mounting said metersocket in said switchboard cradle adapter such that said meter socket isinserted into said opening to a depth which permits the terminals of asocket meter to be fully inserted into said meter socket when the rearwall of said socket meter contacts the outer surface of said switchboardcase, such that the base of said socket meter overlies said frontopening in said switchboard cradle.